Overview

• James Gunn says he wrote Peacemaker for Dave Bautista and offered him the role, adding that money and scheduling influenced the outcome.
• Bautista confirms he wanted the part but could not resolve a conflict with his Army of the Dead schedule.
• He calls not taking the role a blessing in disguise and credits John Cena as perfectly suited to the character.
• John Cena ultimately debuted Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad and fronts the HBO Max series now tied into Gunn’s DCU.
• Bautista remains open to joining the DCU in the future, though he notes his age likely rules out a long-held hope to play Bane.